Vietnamese entrepreneurs go online

As more people like Huong get online — Internet penetration is only 34 percent, but rising fast, especially in urban areas — online consumption could really take off in Vietnam, officials say.

The trend “may bring about stunning results,” a Ministry of Industry and Trade official said.

However, in order for e-trade to really benefit the official GDP figures, it needs to move from the informal to the mainstream economy, she said.

“There are so many things to improve though, as e-trade in Vietnam is still developing at a very unprofessional manner,” she said on condition of anonymity as she is not authorized to talk to the press.